Safety Light Curtains Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Resolution (Standard Resolution, High-Resolution), By Safety Level (Type 2 Safety Light Curtains, Type 4 Safety Light Curtains), By End User (Automotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Packaging) By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.79 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.05%
Fastest Growing Segment	Type 2 Safety Light Curtains
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.97 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Safety Light Curtains Market will grow from USD 2.79 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.97 Billion by 2031 at a 6.05% CAGR. Safety light curtains are opto-electronic safeguarding devices designed to detect the presence of objects or personnel near hazardous machinery, automatically halting operations when the sensing field is interrupted. The market is primarily driven by the stringent enforcement of occupational safety regulations and the substantial rise in industrial automation, which necessitates reliable non-contact protective measures for workforce security. According to the 'International Federation of Robotics', in '2025', the total number of industrial robots in operational use worldwide reached 4,664,000 units in 2024, underscoring the expanding infrastructure requiring integral safety mechanisms.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the high capital expenditure required for installation and integration. Small and medium-sized enterprises often find the initial costs and technical requirements of retrofitting existing equipment with these safety devices prohibitive, which can limit adoption rates in cost-sensitive manufacturing environments.

Key Market Drivers

The surging deployment of industrial robots and collaborative cobots acts as a primary catalyst for the market, necessitating advanced sensing technologies to ensure human-machine coexistence. As manufacturing facilities increasingly integrate automated systems to boost throughput, the risk of interaction between heavy machinery and personnel rises, making non-contact opto-electronic devices essential for immediate hazard isolation. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), September 2024, in the 'World Robotics 2024' report, the global annual installations of industrial robots reached a record high of 541,302 units in 2023. This increasing density of automation requires safety light curtains to maintain high operational speeds while compliant with safety standards, as they allow for frequent interaction without the mechanical wear and access delays associated with physical gates.

The expansion of the automotive and semiconductor manufacturing sectors further propels demand, particularly as producers transition toward electric vehicles and high-precision microelectronics. These industries utilize complex assembly lines where traditional fencing obstructs workflow; thus, manufacturers prioritize light curtains to protect capital-intensive equipment and personnel without sacrificing cycle times. According to SEMI, July 2024, in the 'Mid-Year Total Semiconductor Equipment Forecast', global sales of total semiconductor manufacturing equipment are projected to reach $109 billion in 2024, reflecting a massive investment in machinery that requires integrated safety mechanisms. This growth trajectory is mirrored in the automotive field; according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in 2024, global motor vehicle production increased to 93.5 million units in the preceding year, underscoring the critical need for scalable safety solutions in expanding production environments.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The high capital expenditure required for the installation and integration of safety light curtains acts as a substantial restraint on market growth. This financial burden is particularly acute for small and medium-sized enterprises, which often operate with limited budgets and cannot easily absorb the upfront costs associated with retrofitting legacy machinery. Beyond the purchase price of the hardware, the total cost of ownership includes complex wiring, control system integration, and production downtime during installation. Consequently, these financial barriers frequently force cost-sensitive manufacturers to delay necessary safety upgrades or opt for less advanced protective solutions, thereby directly reducing the demand for opto-electronic safeguarding devices.

The impact of these economic constraints on the broader automation sector, which dictates the demand for safety peripherals, is evident in recent industry performance. According to the 'Association for Advancing Automation', in '2024', North American businesses ordered 23,034 robots during the first nine months of the year, representing a 1.9% decline in units compared to the same period in the previous year, a slowdown attributed to tight capital budgets and high interest rates. This contraction in industrial automation investment directly correlates to a suppressed adoption rate for safety light curtains, as fewer new robotic cells and automated lines requiring integral safety mechanisms are being commissioned.

Key Market Trends

The adoption of IO-Link standards for real-time diagnostics is fundamentally reshaping the utility of safety light curtains, transforming them from passive shut-off devices into active components of the industrial network. Manufacturers are increasingly integrating this communication protocol to access granular operational data, such as beam signal intensity and individual beam synchronization status, which facilitates remote troubleshooting and significantly reduces maintenance downtime. This connectivity allows safety peripherals to provide the deep visibility required for smart factory ecosystems, moving beyond simple on/off switching. According to PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI), April 2025, in the '2024 Annual Node Count Released', the global installed base of IO-Link devices grew to over 61 million nodes, underscoring the rapid industrial standardization on this technology that enables the advanced diagnostic capabilities of modern safety sensors.

Simultaneously, the implementation of AI-powered predictive maintenance is leveraging safety data to prevent unplanned production stoppages. Advanced light curtains now utilize machine learning algorithms to monitor environmental conditions and internal performance, analyzing patterns to predict issues like lens contamination or mechanical misalignment before they trigger a safety stop. This capability transforms safety systems into productivity tools that support continuous uptime by alerting maintenance teams to potential failures early, rather than reacting to halts. According to Rockwell Automation, June 2025, in the '10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report', 95% of manufacturers have invested in or plan to invest in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies over the next five years, reflecting a decisive industry shift towards the intelligent, anticipatory automation strategies that these AI-enhanced safety devices facilitate.

Segmental Insights

The Type 2 Safety Light Curtains segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the global market, driven by the increasing need for cost-efficient safety solutions in lower-risk industrial environments. These devices provide a practical alternative to Type 4 systems for applications where the risk of injury is moderate, such as secondary packaging and material handling. Compliance with International Electrotechnical Commission standards ensures these units deliver necessary protection while optimizing capital expenditure. Consequently, industries seeking to balance strict safety adherence with budget constraints are fueling the rapid adoption of Type 2 variants globally.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominates the Global Safety Light Curtains Market, driven by its established status as a global powerhouse for automotive and electronics manufacturing. Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea are aggressively adopting industrial automation, which necessitates reliable personnel safety mechanisms. This market leadership is reinforced by a growing emphasis on workplace safety compliance, aligning local production facilities with global standards to maintain export competitiveness. The continuous expansion of smart factories across the region creates a sustained demand for these safety devices, ensuring Asia Pacific remains the primary revenue generator in the global sector.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, Keyence Corporation launched the GL-V series, a new generation of safety light curtains designed to balance equipment safety with production efficiency. The series is characterized by its full-length multi-color LED indicator lights, which provide intuitive visual status updates and alignment assistance to operators. The product utilizes a robust, compact housing with an IP65/IP67 rating, ensuring durability in harsh manufacturing environments containing dust or oil. The system also optimizes edge detection to eliminate blind spots and employs a simplified wiring architecture with standard connectors, which significantly reduces installation time and complexity for industrial automation users.
• In June 2024, ReeR Safety introduced a new product line known as SafeReady, which was developed to provide advanced access control and protection in industrial environments. This safety light curtain system achieves Type 4, SIL 3, and PL e safety levels, making it suitable for high-risk applications. The device features a zero-dead-zone design on both ends and includes integrated status lamps for clear visual feedback. Operators can program the system using a dedicated mobile application, which enhances flexibility and ease of use. The series supports resolutions for finger, hand, and body detection, ensuring comprehensive safeguarding for machinery and personnel.
• In June 2024, Schmersal announced the availability of updated versions of its SLC440 and SLC440COM safety light curtains, which now feature an integrated Bluetooth interface. This enhancement allows for real-time status monitoring and diagnostic data transmission to smartphones or tablets via the manufacturer's specialized application. The technology facilitates the retrieval of information such as signal strength and operating modes without requiring physical access to the device, which is particularly beneficial for sensors installed in difficult-to-reach locations. The updated system supports efficient troubleshooting and documentation of safety tests, thereby improving overall machine availability and reducing maintenance time.
• In May 2024, Banner Engineering expanded its portfolio of industrial safety solutions with the release of the S4B series heavy-duty Type 4 safety light curtains. These new devices were designed to simplify installation and maximize uptime in various applications such as robotic work cells, molding presses, and packaging lines. The series features two distinct resolutions, 14 millimeters for finger detection and 30 millimeters for hand detection, and offers sensing ranges up to 12 meters. A key innovation includes an auto-cascade function that allows multiple pairs to be connected in series without complex wiring, maintaining a high level of safety protection.

Key Market Players

• Rockwell Automation, Inc.
• Siemens AG
• Omron Corporation
• Keyence Corporation
• Schneider Electric SE
• SICK AG
• Banner Engineering Corp.
• Leuze electronic GmbH + Co. KG
• Turck Inc.
• Panasonic Corporation

By Resolution	By Safety Level	By End User	By Region
Standard Resolution High-Resolution	Type 2 Safety Light Curtains Type 4 Safety Light Curtains	Automotive Manufacturing Healthcare Food and Beverage Packaging	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Safety Light Curtains Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Safety Light Curtains Market, By Resolution:

• Standard Resolution
• High-Resolution

• Safety Light Curtains Market, By Safety Level:

• Type 2 Safety Light Curtains
• Type 4 Safety Light Curtains

• Safety Light Curtains Market, By End User:

• Automotive
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Food and Beverage
• Packaging

• Safety Light Curtains Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE